In memoriam - Eric White - 10/31/1955 - 3/19/2016

Eric Bryan White, age 60, of Lapeer, Michigan, died March 19, 2016. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, on October 31, 1955, to Ernest B White and Shirley A (Lounsberry) White.

Eric was raised in Holt, Michigan, and Bad Axe, Michigan, graduating from Bad Axe High School in 1973. After high school, Eric attended Central Michigan University for 2 years then transferred to Ferris State University to acquire his Associates Degree in Technical/Mechanical Illustration. Upon graduation from Ferris State University in 1977 he worked as an illustrator for Auto Dynamics in Detroit, Michigan, for two years before accepting a Technical Illustrator position with 3M in St.
Paul, Minnesota, where he remained for 21 years.

Following his time in 'Corporate America' Eric became self-employed as an artist, author and automotive history authority. Eric established his own business, "White House Graphics" classic car prints and illustrations - illustrations from Eric White, Automotive Illustrator and Graphic Artist.

Eric always had a passion for automobiles - at a very young age he could stand at the front door, watch cars go by and name them - make, model and year. He pursued this passion his entire life, owning several classic muscle cars over the years. Though Eric loved all makes of vehicles, his true love was Pontiac. He was a past President of the National GTO Association and instrumental in the founding of the Land Of Lakes GTO Club Magazine, acting as Editor for several years. He was a contributing author to national magazines such as Car Craft, Car & Driver, and Hot Rod, just to name a few. He also covered the Detroit International Auto Show in word and photograph with published articles.

Eric researched, authored and illustrated "The GTO Association of America's Pontiac GTO/GT-37, Illustrated Identification Guide 1964-1974, 2004 GTO; 1970½ -1971 GT-37" a compendium of information for these vehicles.

In 2010, Eric collaborated with other automotive history enthusiasts to establish the Automotive History Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the past for the future.

Eric spent numerous hours doing what he loved - researching automotive history facts and trivia then sharing it with the world through this organization.

Eric enjoyed playing basketball and golf and watching all sports. He was a collector of Hot Wheels, Comic Books and anything pertaining to cars.

He was a great artist, author and photographer.

Eric is preceded in death by his father, Ernest Buddy White and is survived by his mother, Shirley Ann White of Drummond Island, Michigan, and Summerfield, Florida; brothers Marc White of Clarkston, Michigan, and Kirk (Cindy) White of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; sister Heidi (Michael) Degenkolb of Portage, Michigan; nieces and nephews Shelbi Yokie, Ross Degenkolb, Aron White, Owen White, Abbey White; and great-niece and great-nephew Madilyn and Nathaniel